What to Pack for a Family Ski Trip to La Thuile Italy

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Packing for a family ski trip can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time or you’ve got little ones in tow. After multiple trips to La Thuile, we’ve learned what’s actually essential — and what you can safely leave behind.

Here’s our realistic packing list for a family ski trip to Italy, based on what we bring for Joshua and our extended family.

Ski Gear Essentials:

• Skis, ski boots, helmet and poles – rentable via Crystal Ski or bring your own

• Ski socks, thermals, and fleeces

• Boots for walking around the resort and village, in La Thuile I don’t think you specifically need ski boots for walking round the village

• Small backpack for snacks, water, and essentials on the slopes

• Ski goggles

Clothing: Layer Up

Base Layer (Keeps You Dry)

• Thermal tops and bottoms for everyone

• Moisture-wicking fabric is best

You’ve probably heard that merino wool is a must-have for ski trips, but in our experience, it was itchy, expensive and not really worth the extra cost — we much preferred regular thermal layers that kept us warm at a fraction of the price.

Mid Layer (Keeps You Warm)

• Fleece jackets or jumpers

• Softshell tops

Outer Layers (Keeps Wind & Snow Out)

• Waterproof, windproof, insulated ski jackets and salopettes. Don’t feel like you need to spend a fortune — we get most of our kids’ ski clothes from Vinted and have found brilliant bargains!

• Ski gloves – I love these linked mittens, (they have a little pocket that allows you to pop a hand warmer in, we all have a pair!)

Extras for Cold Weather:

• Heated gilets (total game-changer — keep your core warm, and the whole body follows!), you would not need this if visiting in February but it comes in handy in December if you feel the cold!

• Heated socks — especially for kids or anyone prone to cold feet

• Hand warmers — cheap, light, and make a huge difference in gloves or pockets

• Hats, balaclavas, and sunglasses for sun and wind protection

• Ski Boot covers - acting as a guard against the icy cold, I thought these cheap boot covers were a bit of a gimmick but honestly they really worked in taking the edge off the cold!

Tip: Make sure your ski jacket is roomy enough to fit a heated gilet underneath — a tight coat negates the effect.

Practical Extras for Apartment Stays

If you’re staying in self-catered accommodation like Planibel Residence in La Thuile, some items are worth packing:

• Tea towels, dishwashing cloth, and washing-up liquid (these aren’t provided)

• Breakfast essentials — we always bring porridge oats and baked beans. This saves money and ensures a stress-free morning.

• Cash — handy for kids’ club hot chocolate or small purchases

Tip: Pack a small first-aid kit and any daily medications — skiing accidents are usually minor, but it’s better to be prepared.

For more on our accommodation: Planibel Residence in La Thuile review

Kid-Specific Packing

• Extra layers in case they get wet

• Gloves/mittens and liners

• Optional: sled or small snow play items for spontaneous fun (we rented a sledge on-site for 5 euros, but having your own is convenient)

For more on being prepared for kids club read Review of Crystal Ski Beanie Club in La Thuile

What suitcase should I bring skiing?

Our go-to travel gear: We absolutely love our Surfanic Maxim 3.0 120L Roller Bags for ski trips and family holidays. The split-level design makes packing so much easier (wet away from dry, clean away from dirty), they’re super tough with reinforced corners, smooth quiet wheels, and they hold so much more than you’d expect. Ours have survived years of airport abuse and still look great. We also pop an Air Tag in each bag — they’re only around £20 for four and honestly give us total peace of mind knowing exactly where our luggage is at all times. If you want stress-free travel days, these are 100% worth it.

Filming Your Ski Trip – Insta360 Camera

If you want to properly capture your ski holiday memories, an Insta360 action camera is honestly one of the best things we’ve ever brought. It’s tiny, tough, and easy to use. The 360° filming means you don’t have to worry about pointing the camera perfectly — you attach to your helmet, chest strap or if you board the invisible selfie stick takes such amazing video.

Summary: The Essentials

Think of packing in three zones:

1. On the slopes: ski gear, layers, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand warmers

2. In the apartment: breakfast essentials, tea towels, washing-up basics, toiletries

3. Extras for comfort and fun: cash for small treats, small toys, lip balm, moisturiser

With these items, you’ll be ready for anything La Thuile or any Italian ski resort throws at you, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress trying to buy forgotten items after arrival.

Thinking about a trip to La Thuile, don't forget to read The Ultimate Guide to a Family Ski Trip to La Thuile with Crystal Ski

If you’re considering booking during the school holidays, it’s worth checking current Crystal Ski availability early — peak week pricing and room types move quickly. And if you’re still comparing destinations, explore our full family ski hub or our picks for best beginner resorts in Europe for detailed resort guides, cost breakdowns and planning tools. Wishing you smooth logistics and confident turns — happy planning!